Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2026 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== USGenNet Data Repository Notice: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ============================================================================= Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. ============================================================================= Texas Coastal Pioneers of Chambers County As Compliled in 1952 by Varuna Hartmann Lawrence Royal Pub. Co., Dallas, TX The Gulf Coast Pioneers of Texas Authentic Reports Gathered from Many Reliable Sources. (Many things cannot be verified as the old Record Book burned in the fire that destroyed the old Court House at Wallisville, then County seat of Chambers county 1875 or '76) Have talked with many of those who had lived in these bygone days, and in whose word there was no question, concerning the things given here. Varua Hartmann (Mrs. A. B.) Lawrence ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [p. 92-97] STATE FAIR 1875 The State Fair of Texas was held for a few years in Houston beginning in 1870. In 1875 JEFFERSON DAVIS spoke at the opening of the Fair. The Fair Grounds were in charge of COL. ROBT. KYLE, for some years. It is what is now known as Fair Grounds Addition. Was bounded on the north by McGowan Street, on the West by Louisiana and extended across Travis Street and the entrance gates were at junction of McGowan and Louisiana Streets. The Grounds were laid out in checks and squares, divided by small ditches with many bridges, with many paths and roadways and it covered 30 acres. The grounds were reached by street-car drawn by mules, whose bells tinkled musically as they trotted along a wide plank, while the car wheels ran on iron tracks. Your fare, the little colored tickets about an inch wide and one and one-half inch long. Many small purchases were made in those days, by the payment of street car tickets and all out through the Country change was made frequently by using the little yellow, blue, red and green tickets from the Houston and Galveston street car lines. There were many buildings inside the Fair grounds, where exhibits of all kinds were housed. In the Agricultural hall there were two plows made by the B. F. Avery Plow Company of Louisville, Kentucky, that were very beautiful, one made of pure gold and one of silver, they were about 8 or 10 inches long, an exact replica of those in use by the farmers throughout the country. The Goggan Piano Company had a splendid line of pianos in use at that time. I remember hearing two beautifully dressed ladies talking of the wonderful tone of these instruments, then one lady said "sit down and play on that one KATIE, which "Katie" did to my surprise and delight. In the Floral Exhibit was a lovely and peculiar arrangement, where a round circle of glass kept the public away from the hundreds of flowers, some of them the largest and finest of their species that I have ever seen. There was an ornamental fountain in the center that sent a misty spray on the flowers all the time. I distinctly remember a blue Lily that was at least a foot across that would hold its cup to the misty spray that kept the flowers fresh and lovely. The Lily would have its heart full, yet hold its: cup for more of the cooling mist. A young deer ran about in a small enclosure near the floral display, where many tiny children patted its nose between the wires. There was a "Grand Opera House" in the upper story of the fine new Market house with its look-out on the roof, where one could look all over the City. This was railed in (or walled up) about waist high, with red painted iron or tin. Someone lifted me for a moment, that I might look out at this sight. It was in this opera house that I saw the play, "The Hidden Hand" and it was a source of lively remembrance to me for many years. I always felt grateful to my Mother’s escort (she was a young widow) for seconding my plea to be allowed to accompany the theatre party that night. In later years when I was permitted to read MRS. SOUTHWORTH’S books, it was made clear to me many things, which I did not understand when I saw the play. In one of the open Halls, that had a stout railing around it, a number of athletic young men rode on beautifully painted and polished bicycles, that had only two wheels, one very large and a really small one just behind it. They raced and did tricks, each trying to outdo the others in daring and skill, on these wonderful new vehicles, before the admiring crowds. How dangerous this looked! There were, of course, horses, cattle, sheep and hogs in the Livestock Exhibit and quite , number of Durham cattle were shown. One Durham cow had a blue ribbon tied on her horn, another had a red one. A red and white spotted bull had a blue ribbon on his horn. The hogs, sheep and other animals did not make a deep impression on me as the hay was too deep for me to get around in, and I only saw the prize winners when held up in a kindly man’s arms. There were small tables out on the Market Square, where light meals were served, in the open air. A young Italian boy strolled among the tables playing a violin and dancing to his own music. Another boy passed a hat and gathered a lot of small change. The violin had one side completely gone from the bridge to the tailpiece, but the tone was lovely and they were very popular with the diners. There were pictures made of some of the young people in the group with us and one of Sister and Me. These tintypes show the quaint costumes of that day, high lace or button shoes, dresses tight basque, Spencer or yoke waist, full skirt, but the sleeves were leg-o-mutton or full gathered, in a tiny band at the wrist. Many had the drop shoulder and the off shoulder waist on their full gathered or many gored skirts. Their hair was cut and waved as now. The hats were like today also. There were Fortune Tellers there as is usual at such places. There was one really interesting in its appeal. The Attendant gave you a blank sheet of nice quality paper with envelope to match for one dollar. You folded the paper, put it in the envelope and sealed it and tore off a bit of one corner of the envelope, then gave it back to him. Then he put them all in a tall glass tank of colorless liquid or gas and you watched the letters go up and down, up and down. After a minute or two the attendant stopped the moving liquid or gas, took out the letters, handed them to those having invested, who fitted their bits retained, until they were sure they had their own, then tore them open and there was writing on one side of the paper telling of the Past, Present and Future of the subject. The envelope and paper was dry as when they had it in hand before. There were horse races and I recall clearly one I saw. It was a trotting race which was won by a big sorrel horse, white spot on his face and one or two white feet. This horse was driven to a two wheeled sulky and seemed to go by as fast as a horse running. Someone kindly held me up that I might see over the board railing surrounding the track and I still appreciate being enabled to see my first harness race. There were prize drawings of dear little blown glass birds in their natural colors and I as the small one of the group was made happy by the gift of many of them. This concludes the memories I hold of the Texas State Fair, held in this City in 1875. (Mrs. A. B.) Varuna Hartmann Lawrence. ===============================================================================